Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and is located in the eastern plateau of Highveld. Johannesburg is home to South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court. Johannesburg is also the location of large scale gold and diamond trade. The city is less than two hundred years old, but it has become known as a city of opportunity and commerce. Johannesburg has transformed into a vibrant metropolis with a population of 3.5 million.
Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport and is the largest and busiest airport in Africa, as well as Johannesburg Grand Central Airport, Johannesburg Lanseria Airport and Johannesburg Rand Airport. All airports feature car rental, shuttle service and parking. There are 220 places of lodging available in Johannesburg. They include hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest house, apartments, lodges, resorts and havens for backpackers.
Johannesburg has a lot to offer and there is something for everybody. Whether it’s sightseeing, relaxing or exploring the wonders of another part of the world, Johannesburg has become the popular tourist destination in Africa. Let’s take a look at some of what is available.
SAB World of Beer offers a unique look at the history of beer making, which dates back some 6000 years. Visitors will see the beer-making process, including the gardens for the home-grown ingredients used in the beer making, then a stop at the pub for frosty refreshment after the tour. SAB World of Beer was opened by then President Nelson Mandela on 15 May 1995.
History buffs will want to visit and explore Constitution Hill. It was built in 1892 and used as a prison to control the influx of foreigners. It became a fort in 1896 and again, a prison in 1899 for the incarceration of those who opposed apartheid. . Today, the building functions as a museum and home of the Constitutional Court.
Engineers, as well as engineering students, may want to check out the Nelson Mandela Bridge. It is an engineering masterpiece that links Braamfontein in the north and Newtown in the south. The bridge was opened in 2001 to celebrate Mandela’s 85th birthday. The bridge carries two lanes of traffic and two pedestrian sidewalks and improves access to the Newtown Cultural Precinct. The bridge measures 284 meters in length and is the lengthiest cable stayed bridge in South Africa.
The adventures souls may enjoy a trip to Gold Reef City. It was built around shaft number 14 of Crown Mines; the city is an exact reproduction of Johannesburg at the beginning of the 1900′s. The miner’s houses are fully furnished with original furniture. The museum includes exhibits of the period clothing and children’s toys. A train encircles the park and many shops display fascinating items from that era. The mine is accessible for tours by way of a lift that descends 220 meters below the surface.
Johannesburg Planetarium is a definite fan favorite for students and grownups alike. Educational sessions teach the wonders of the planets and outer space. There are informational displays throughout the building and a ton of information is ready to be absorbed by an inquiring mind. From Tuesday to Friday only school children are admitted to the facility so if you are a tourist, plan your visits accordingly.
